Harrogate Town Archives - Page 28 of 28

Harrogate Town manager: ‘Promotion can put us on the footballing map’

Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver has said promotion to the English Football League on Sunday would make Harrogate known for football as well as tea shops.

Town play Notts County at Wembley on Sunday with the winner playing in League Two next season.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret, Weaver said playing in the EFL for the first time in the club’s history would be a major boost to Harrogate.

He said:

“It would put us right on the footballing map. We often get the mickey taken out of us saying we’re a town full of tea shops but hopefully we’ll be known for the brand of football and the style we play and that’s the aim of getting in the football league.

Weaver hailed the “amazing” performance of his team last Saturday for beating a physical Boreham Wood side 1-0 in the play-off semi-final at the CNG Stadium.

After not playing since March, the players looked sharp, which Weaver expects to continue into the final.

He said:

“It was amazing that they put on a show after such a long absence. I couldn’t have been prouder of everyone’s attitude.”

Weaver has managed Town for over 500 games — and it will be a sweet occasion to lead his team out on Sunday at the famous Wembley Stadium, despite Town fans being unable to attend due to social distancing restrictions.

He said:

“I’m sure they will be watching and listening where they can but we’ll have them at the forefront of our minds. It’s painful them not being there but we’ll have to focus our minds on the day and do our best for the supporters and make them proud back home.”

A key strength of Town’s squad over the past few years has been its stability: the majority of the team that won promotion to the National League in 2018 are still present and Weaver said if they do get promoted he won’t be making wholesale changes.

He said:

“Either way we won’t rip up what we’ve got. I think we’ll be very competitive should we be lucky and good enough to win on Sunday.

“We’d be looking at boosting the size of squad so we’d probably need two or three players. Defensively we only have four in the squad right now.”

If the game ends 0-0 on Sunday, Town will be faced with a penalty shootout for the first time since 2012 when they were knocked out of the F.A Cup second round by Hastings.

Fortunately, the squad had a penalties expert on hand to come and give them advice before the Boreham Wood game — England manager and Harrogate local Gareth Southgate.

Weaver said:

“I’ve known him for a few years and thought it might be nice for him to talk about his experiences for 40 or 50 minutes. He’s a really nice guy and talked about how they dealt with penalties in the last England tournament.”

Harrogate Town vs Notts County kicks off at 3pm on Sunday and will be shown live on BT Sport.

Harrogate Town to play outside of Harrogate if they win promotion

Harrogate Town will play the first few home games of next season outside of Harrogate if they gain promotion to the English Football League.

This is because to meet EFL regulations the club must replace its existing artificial 3G pitch at the CNG Stadium with grass.

Town play Notts County at Wembley on Sunday with the winner gaining promotion to the League Two in the EFL. The club said they will begin work on replacing the pitch with grass “immediately” should they win the historic tie.

The work is expected to take 10 weeks, which would take them into next season, with the first matches set for September 12. The club have not revealed who they could potentially ground share with.

Town installed the current 3G pitch in 2016 after struggling for years with drainage issues on the previous grass pitch. It forced them to play several home matches 45 miles away at Doncaster Rovers.

Town fan Rob Nixon told The Stray Ferret that he hopes it would be somewhere closer to home.

He said:

“The more local the better. When we shared with Doncaster we only had 50 people attending. Having to do that again would be tough.”

The club have been busy this summer making preparations in case they are promoted.

Work has almost been completed on a new Family Stand at the CNG so they can meet EFL’s requirement of every stadium being able to hold 5,000 people with 1,000 seats.

Cardboard cut-out versions of Town supporters sat in the stand when the team beat Boreham Wood 1-0 on Saturday to book their place in the final.

Writing in Saturday’s programme, club chairman Irving Weaver said he hopes the new all-seater stand will attract more fans to the club.

Harrogate Town prepares for £1 million game

Harrogate Town is in line for a million-pound windfall if it beats Notts County at Wembley on Sunday and gains promotion to the English Football League.

The football club secured its place in the final after beating Boreham Wood 1-0 on Saturday at the CNG Stadium thanks to a 65th-minute goal from Jack Muldoon.

Town’s history boys will play at Wembley for the first time in the club’s existence — and promotion from the National League could help take the club to the next level financially.

Each League Two club receives £472,000 a season as a “basic award” from the EFL which is their share of the league’s five-year £595m broadcasting deal with Sky Sports.

The Premier League also gives clubs £430,000 as a “solidarity payment” — which is designed to trickle some of the league’s riches down the football pyramid.

Gate receipts are vitally important for lower league clubs and a new Family Stand costing £750,000 is currently being built at the CNG which will take capacity up to 5,000. The club is hoping a ticket prize freeze for next season will help fill it.

However, this could be curtailed by social distancing restrictions that will be in place for at least the first couple of months of the new season, which is rumoured to begin in September.

Town players celebrate after winning their place in the play-off final. Picture: Matt Kirkham Harrogate Town

For the first time in its history, Town would also play in the League Cup, entering in round one, which comes with a minimum bonus of £5,000 even if they get knocked out.

If the club made the draw for the second round, it would be in the hat for potential money-spinning ties with some Premier League clubs — including newly-promoted Leeds United.

Promotion to the EFL does not guarantee a gilded existence and several League Two clubs are in financial peril, with Bury kicked out of the league in 2019 due to financial struggles.

While the financial benefits of promotion are tantalising for Town fans, seeing their club in the EFL for the first time in its 101-year history would be priceless.

‘We’re off to Wembley!’ Harrogate Town win historic play off semi

Jack Muldoon’s 65th-minute goal sent Harrogate Town to Wembley for a historic play off final next Sunday.

Town beat Boreham Wood 1-0 at the CNG Stadium this afternoon in the National League play off semi-final.

Despite not playing in the league since March 7, Town dominated the game and looked the much sharper of the two teams.

In the social distancing era it was a low key experience watching Town’s biggest game in its 101-year history.

Walking up Wetherby Road, there was not the usual congregation of Town fans wearing yellow and black, discussing predictions for the game or excitedly planning which pub they might go to might go after the game.

But Town’s fans were here in spirit — with the supporters club organising a 20ft X 10ft flag covered with fan’s faces. And there were over 100 cardboard cut out ‘crowdies’ sat in Town’s new family stand.

A lot has changed in the world since Town last played and both teams took a knee before kick-off in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Town started the game sharply and swarmed the opposition several times in the first twenty minutes.

An impressive attacking move saw on-loan winger Jack Diamond, who was a threat all game, through on goal but his shot was saved comfortably by Boreham Wood goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore.

After 25 minutes, Jack Muldoon drilled a shot low that was pushed wide for a corner.

Lloyd Kerry nearly put Town ahead five minutes later when his shot was again turned wide by Ashmore.

The physically imposing Boreham Wood began to put some pressure on Town towards the end of the first half, with two chances.

After half time, Boreham Wood came out strong and a Keiron Murtagh shot was well saved with his feet by Town keeper James Belshaw.

Boreham Wood almost took the lead when a Matt Rheed header led to desperate scramble before the ball was ultimately cleared off the line.

But it was Jack Muldoon on the 65th minute who sent Town fans watching at home into dreamland when he scored after a corner.

The final whistle sent Town players in ecstacy, cheering and embracing each other in an eerily quiet CNG.

Town players left the field to their makeshift changing rooms in the 1919 bar and could be heard singing “We’re off to Wembley” – almost making up for the lack of supporters.

They will play the winner of Notts County vs Barnet which kicks off later this afternoon.

Biggest game in Harrogate Town’s history today

Harrogate Town is gearing up for the biggest game in the club’s 101-year history.

At 2.30pm today at the CNG Stadium, Town will play Boreham Wood in the National League play-off semi-final. If they win, Town will head to Wembley on August 2 for the chance to play in the English Football League for the first time.

The game today will be a bittersweet occasion for Town supporters who are not allowed into the ground due to social distancing guidelines.

However, fans will be able to watch the game from the comfort of their own home as the game will be broadcast live on BT Sport.

Town finished the season in 2nd place after the league was curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic and decided on a points-per-game ratio.

Simon Weaver’s men will be hoping to quickly shake off any ring rust as they have not kicked a ball in the league since drawing with Bromley 1-1 on March 7.

Boreham Wood, who finished 5th, beat Halifax Town 2-1 in their first playoff game last week.

This season the Hertfordshire side has the best away record in the league and Town has the second-best home record.

The two teams played to a 0-0 draw at the CNG Stadium in September. In December, Boreham Wood beat Town 2-1 at Meadow Park.

Writing in today’s programme, manager Simon Weaver said he hoped the game will be a day to remember for the fans.

He said:

“Today is a huge game for both sides. We haven’t got the advantage of having our fans with us but we will be making every attempt to get the win that they are hoping for.

“Many will be glued to the television and watching the game live on BT Sport. We owe it to them to give it 100% effort to reach the final”.

The winner of today’s game will play the winner of Notts County vs Barnet on August 2 at Wembley.

Harrogate Town says ‘thank you’ to fans with ticket price freeze

Harrogate Town will freeze both matchday and season ticket prices next season, even if the club gets promoted to League Two.

The club said it wants to “reward loyal fans” who have been unable to watch their team play in person since March due to the lockdown.

An advanced standing matchday ticket price will remain at £16 for an adult and £12 for a concession. A standing adult season ticket will be £269 and a concession will be £189. A full price list is on the club’s website.

The English Football League and the National League are yet to announce when the 2020/2021 will begin — but last week Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave the green light for fans to return to sporting grounds from October, albeit at a reduced capacity.

Town is currently building a new stand at the CNG stadium which will increase the ground’s capacity to 5,000.

Harrogate Town will play Boreham Wood at the CNG Stadium at 2.30pm on Saturday with the winner going onto Wembley on August 2 for the chance to play in League Two next season. The game will be shown live on BT Sport.

The Stray Ferret will be reporting live from the CNG Stadium.

The winner will play the winner of Notts County vs Barnet which also takes place on Saturday.

Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver said:

“Over the last 12 weeks club business has continued and that has involved preparations for the new campaign. Part of that work involved ticket pricing. I am really pleased that, together with the directors, we decided to freeze the prices for next season whether we are playing our football in the National League or the EFL.”

“The players and I wanted supporters to know how much we count on your following, we wanted to say thank you at this difficult time. We look forward to seeing you all at the ground in the near future.”

The announcement was welcomed by Jordan Ford of the Harrogate Town Supporters Club.

The club was criticised by fans last season for raising ticket prices after its promotion from the National League North.

Jordan told The Stray Ferret that the ticket price freeze could attract more fans to the club.

He said:

“Credit to the club in identifying the mistakes which were made last season. Hopefully this decision will drive us forwards in expanding our supporters base.

“There’s a lot of potential for new supporters in the town, and by offering an affordable ticketing policy is a great way to attract this support. It would great if those supporters will be watching us in League Two.”

Harrogate Town fans to send cut-outs to crucial game

Fans of Harrogate Town will be able to send a cardboard cut-out version of themselves to the club’s crucial play-off game later this month.

The cut-outs, which cost £20, will be placed in prominent locations within the CNG Stadium. Some will even be put inside changing rooms to inspire the players.

The game will be played behind closed doors and will also be shown live on BT Sport. The date is still to be confirmed, with Town set to play the winner of Halifax Town vs Boreham Wood.

The first 25 fans who buy a cut-out will have theirs signed by the entire first-team squad. Every fan who buys a cut-out will be able to collect it after the game as a memento.

Harrogate Town assistant manager Paul Thirlwell said the cut-outs could spur the team on to victory.

He said:

“It will definitely make a difference to see our fans in the stands – albeit cut-out ones!

“Our fans have been incredible again this season, and I’m sure many of them will continue to support us on our journey, hopefully towards play-off success.”

Jordan Ford from the Harrogate Town Supporters Club told the Stray Ferret the cut-outs are an “excellent idea and one which I hope the Town fans embrace”.

He also said the supporters club has organised a 20ft x 10ft flag to display at the stadium which includes pictures of fans.

Several sports team around the world have asked fans to buy cut-outs so they can feel part of the action whilst bringing in much-needed revenue. However, last weekend Leeds United were forced to apologise after an Osama Bin Laden cut-out was spotted at Elland Road.

Visit this website to purchase a cut-out.

Harrogate Town ‘delighted and relieved’ at play-off confirmation

Harrogate Town managing director Garry Plant said he is “delighted and relieved” after the National League confirmed last night that the club will enter the play-offs for the chance to win promotion.

The decision ends an agonising three-month wait for the club and its supporters who have been waiting to find out how the season will be concluded since the season was paused in March.

National League clubs agreed to send Barrow AFC up as champions with the second to seventh-placed teams competing for the final promotion place in a play-off competition in July.

It means Town, who finished in second place, will play for the chance to compete in the English Football League for the first time in its history. It’s estimated that promotion could be worth between £1million to £1.5million to the club.

Harrogate will play the winners of Boreham Wood vs Halifax at Wetherby Road in July, with the final played at a neutral venue later that month. All games will be played behind closed doors.

Mr Plant told the Stray Ferret that the club is especially pleased for the supporters who “have been anxiously awaiting the outcome” of the vote.

He added:

“We are advised that the semi-final will be broadcast by BT Sports and now we are firming up on all the contingency plans we have been working on over the last 10 weeks.”

Even though the club’s supporters would miss out on an unforgettable day out at Wembley if they reach the final, they still hope to be able to watch the play-off games together, albeit socially distanced.

Jordan Ford from the Harrogate Town Supporters Club told us that a big screen could be put up on the Stray to allow fans to watch the televised games together two metres apart.

But another Town Fan, Rob Nixon, told the Stray Ferret that watching the play-off away from Wetherby Road will take some getting used to.

He said:

“It will be strange, especially if I can’t watch it with other people. The greatest thing about watching Town is the atmosphere at matches.”

Harrogate Town’s football league dream inches closer

Harrogate Town’s dream of playing in the English Football League could move closer this week.

The National League is expected to end the current campaign via points-per-game with Town entering the play-offs for the chance to win promotion.

The club was in second position when the 2019/20 season was curtailed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 24 clubs in the National League voted over the weekend on how to conclude the season which is widely expected to send Barrow AFC up as champions with the second to seventh-placed teams competing for the final promotion place in a play-off in July. Confirmation of the vote is expected later this week.

It’s estimated that promotion to the EFL could be worth between £1million to £1.5million to Town, who have played in the lower leagues since they were formed in 1919.

Harrogate Town Supporters Club spokesperson Jordan Ford told the Stray Ferret that it’s been a “frustrating” few months but he is pleased a decision will soon be made on how the season will end.

“I’ve been following the club avidly for seven or eight years. I never thought we’d be in this position but it would be absolutely brilliant for the local area to have a club achieving league football. It would be excellent.”

The playoffs will be broadcast live on BT Sport which will give the club a much-needed cash windfall following the abandonment of the season in March. It is believed the broadcaster pays clubs between £5,000 and £10,000 for each National League game they show live on TV.

Harrogate Town was eligible to apply for a share of a £125m coronavirus support fund launched by the Premier League for clubs in the lower divisions struggling financially with the football shutdown.

A new 880-seater stand is currently being built at Wetherby Road to meet EFL regulations should they be promoted. The club would also need to replace their artificial 3G pitch with grass.

Harrogate Town will play the first play-off semi-final at Wetherby Road on at an unconfirmed date in July with the winner moving on to the final which will be played at a neutral venue before July 31.

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